Energy from waste offers Scotland alternative recycling option

Scotland could generate a percentage of its electricity by converting its waste to energy, a report has suggested.

The Energy from Waste Potential in Scotland report revealed that the country could generate eight per cent of its existing electricity demand from energy to waste facilities.

Professor Jan Bebbington, vice-chair of the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland, which compiled the report, commented: "Strong performance in waste minimisation and recycling can go hand in hand with the use of energy from waste as part of an integrated strategy."

Making the move to develop energy production from waste could help Scotland to meet its government target of generating 50 per cent of its electricity demand from renewables by 2020.

The report follows news of a £7.3 million grant given to INEOS Bio by One North East and the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

INEOS Bio will use the money to help to develop its north-east plant, which will convert biodegradable household and commercial waste into biofuel.